Method and apparatus for removing material from an intervertebral disc space and preparing end plates

ABSTRACT

Instrument and method for removing material from an intervertebral disc. The instrument includes outer and inner tubular members. The outer tubular member defines a passage and a cutting window. The inner tubular member is coaxially disposed within the passage, and defines a central lumen and a cutting tip. The cutting tip forms an open mouth having a plurality of teeth. Upon assembly, the cutting tip is exposed within the cutting window combining to define a shaving head. A manual decorticating implement is coupled to the outer tubular member and defining a scraping surface. A powered handpiece is coupled to the inner tubular member, and the shaving head is inserted into an intervertebral disc and positioned such that the cutting tip contacts targeted material (e.g., nucleus, annulus and/or end plate). The handpiece is activated to rotate the cutting tip relative to the cutting window. Contacted material is sheared between an edge of the cutting window and the teeth of the cutting tip. The manual decorticating implement is used to remove intervertebral disc material from an end plate.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No.13/013,384 filed on Jan. 25, 2011, which claims priority under 35 U.S.C.§119(e) to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/405,792 filedon Oct. 22, 2010, and incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND

The present disclosure relates to removal of intervertebral discmaterial. More particularly, it relates to a method and powered devicefor removing some or all of the material (tissue, cartilaginous bone,etc.) associated with an intervertebral disc, for example in performinga nucleotomy.

The vertebral spine includes, amongst other structures, a series of bonyvertebrae, adjacent ones of which are supported and separated by anintervertebral disc. In a healthy spine, the discs maintain separationbetween the vertebrae, promoting fluid circulation throughout the spine,and providing a cushioning effect between the vertebral structures. Anintervertebral disc generally includes an annulus fibrosis (or“annulus”), a nucleus pulposus (or “nucleus”), and opposing end plates.The end plates are akin to cartilaginous bone and serve to attachadjacent vertebrae to the disc. The nucleus is disposed between the endplates, circumferentially constrained by the annulus.

Intervertebral discs are elastic in nature, and can be damaged ordisplaced. For example, intervertebral discs can be overtly stressed byexcessive movement, excess body weight, injury, disease, and/or gradualdeterioration with age. Intervertebral disc injuries or otherabnormalities can result in serious back pain and physical disability,and are often chronic and difficult to treat. For example, the annulusmay bulge or tear, with the distended nucleus tissue compressing againsta spinal nerve (e.g., disc herniation). Similarly, the disc maydegenerate over time, leading to a collapse of the disc space.

Surgical procedures have been developed to repair damage or displacedintervertebral discs. These procedures include nucleotomies ordiscectomies in which a portion (e.g., the nucleus), or an entirety ofthe intervertebral disc is excised. Fusion is another accepted techniqueand entails the bony portions of the spine being fused together to limitthe relative motion between adjacent vertebrae. Insertion/implantationof the fusion-inducing device(s) again requires removal of certaindiscal tissue. Similarly, disc decompression/fusion procedures requireforming a hole in the annulus possibly followed by removal of nucleustissue prior to backfilling with fusion material. More recently, nucleusreplacement implants have been developed; these products also requireremoval of discal tissue (i.e., the nucleus and/or portions of, or allof, the annulus) prior to implantation. In several instances,preparation of cartilage adjacent the end plates is advantageous tofoster bone growth and adhesion of fusion material.

Regardless of the exact procedure, various manual instruments for theremoval of intervertebral disc material(s) are conventionally employed.These manual instruments include osteotomes, surgical chisels,guillotine cutting devices, etc. The highly confined nature of thesurgical site associated with the intervertebral disc, the delicatesurrounding structures (e.g., nerves), and the wide-range of material tobe cut (i.e., the nucleus tissue is fairly soft, whereas the annulustissue is quite tough), have likely given rise to the reliance uponsimple, manual devices. While viable, use of manual instrumentation canrender the procedure overly time consuming. Often times, severaldifferent manual instruments must be passed in and out of the surgicalsite multiple times in order to remove the desired discal material. Thisincreases the chance of damage to sensitive structures adjacent to thespine (vascular and nervous). The manual instruments also requireseparate irrigation and suction device(s) to clean the surgical siteduring and after the procedure. Further, for certain procedures such asnucleotomies, manual surgical instruments require a surgeon to rely upontactile feel to ensure that the annulus is not violated.

Injured and degenerated intervertebral discs pose serious healthproblems to a large number of patients. Many current and futuretreatments require the removal of nucleus and/or other discal tissue.Manual intervertebral disc material-removing tools are time-consuming touse, and require multiple other instruments. Available poweredinstruments for cutting intervertebral disc material do not afford theability to effectively prepare end plates for fostering bone growth andadhesion of fusion material. As such, a surgeon removes the poweredinstrument from the intervertebral disc and inserts a manual instrumentto prepare the end plates. Each time an instrument passes by nerves andarteries near the surgical site, there is an increased risk of injurythereto. Any advancement in the tools and related methods for performingthis delicate material removal within or at the disc space will bewell-received.

SUMMARY

Some aspects of the present invention relate to a method of removingmaterial from an intervertebral disc otherwise defined by a nucleussurrounded by an annulus and opposing end plates. The method includesproviding a surgical shaving instrument including an elongated outertubular member and an elongated inner tubular member. The outer tubularmember defines a central passage and a cutting window at a distal endthereof. The cutting window is defined by a perimeter edge and isfluidly connected to the central passage. The inner tubular member iscoaxially disposed within the central passage, and further defines acentral lumen and a cutting tip at a distal end thereof. The cutting tipforms a mouth that is open to the lumen and has a plurality of teethformed along a perimeter. Upon final assembly, the cutting tip isexposed within the cutting window, with the cutting tip and cuttingwindow combining to define a bodily material shaving head. A manualdecorticating implement is coupled to the outer tubular member anddefining a scraping surface. A powered handpiece is coupled to the innertubular member such that the powered handpiece can cause the innertubular member to rotate relative to the outer tubular member. Theshaving head is inserted into an intervertebral disc and positioned suchthat the cutting tip contacts targeted material of the disc. The poweredhandpiece is activated to rotate the cutting tip relative to the cuttingwindow. Contacted bodily material is, as a result, sheared between theedge of the cutting window and the teeth of the cutting tip. The manualdecorticating implement is positioned such that the scraping surfacecontacts an end plate and intervertebral disc material is removed fromthe end plate using the scraping surface. Finally, the sheared andremoved material is aspirated through the inner tubular member's lumenvia the mouth. In one embodiment, the surgical instrument furtherincludes an irrigation mechanism fluidly connected to the bodilymaterial shaving head, with the method further including irrigating thematerial shaving head while shearing tissue.

Other aspects of the present invention relate to a surgicalintervertebral disc material shaving instrument for use with a poweredhandpiece. The instrument includes outer and inner tubular members. Theouter tubular member defines a central passage and a cutting widow. Thecutting window is fluidly connected to the central passage and isdefined by a perimeter edge having opposing, first and secondlongitudinal sides. At least four teeth are formed on each of theopposing longitudinal sides. The inner tubular member is coaxiallydisposed within the central passage, and defines a central lumen and acutting tip. The cutting tip forms a plurality ofcircumferentially-extending teeth about a mouth that is otherwisefluidly connected to the lumen. Upon final assembly, the cutting tip isexposed within the cutting window, with the cutting window and thecutting tip combining to define a material shaving head adapted to shearintervertebral disc material, as well as to aspirate sheared materialthrough the mouth and lumen.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an intervertebral disc material shavinginstrument in accordance with aspects of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional, partial exploded view of the instrument ofFIG. 1;

FIG. 3A is an enlarged top plan view of a distal segment of an outertubular member portion of the instrument of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3B is a side view of the segment of FIG. 3A;

FIG. 3C is an enlarged, top plan view of a distal segment of an innertubular member portion of the instrument of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3D is a cross-sectional view of the assembled instrument of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged, top plan view of the material shaving head formedby the instrument of FIG. 1

FIG. 5 is a simplified, top plan view of an intervertebral disc incombination with the instrument of FIG. 1 upon initial approach;

FIG. 6 is the view of FIG. 5 with the instrument fully inserted;

FIG. 7 is a simplified, side cross-sectional view of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a side cross-sectional view with a scraping surface of adecorticating implement contacting an end plate;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a distal segment of an outer tubularmember portion of an alternative instrument;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a distal segment of an outer tubularmember portion of an alternative instrument;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a distal segment of an outer tubularmember portion of an alternative instrument;

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a distal segment of an outer tubularmember portion of an alternative instrument;

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a distal segment of an outer tubularmember portion of an alternative instrument; and

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of a distal segment of an outer tubularmember portion of an alternative instrument.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

One embodiment of an intervertebral disc shaving instrument 20 inaccordance with principles disclosed herein is shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.The instrument 20 includes an outer tubular assembly 22 and an innertubular assembly 24. The outer tubular assembly 22 includes an outertubular member 26 and a first hub assembly 28. Similarly, the innertubular assembly 24 includes an inner tubular member 30 (best seen inFIG. 2) and a second hub assembly 32. Details on the various componentsare provided below. In general terms, however, the inner tubular member30 is coaxially disposed within the outer tubular member 26, with thetubular members 26, 30 combining to define a bodily material shavinghead 34 (FIG. 1). During use, the instrument 20 is coupled to a poweredhandpiece (not shown) that rotates the second hub assembly 32, and thusthe inner tubular member 30, relative to the outer tubular member 26 inan oscillating fashion, to effectuate shearing of intervertebral discmaterial (not shown) at the shaving head 34. Additionally, a manualdecorticating implement 38 is disposed on an outer surface of the outertubular member 26. The implement 38 is useful to effectuate preparationof end plates (not shown).

The outer tubular member 26 is an elongated body defining a proximalsegment 40 and a distal segment 44 maintaining the implement 38.Further, the outer tubular member 26 defines a central passage 46 (FIG.2) extending from the distal segment 44 to the proximal segment 40. Withspecific reference to FIG. 2, the proximal segment 40 is adapted forconnection to the first hub assembly 28, and defines a longitudinal axisA. For example, the proximal segment 40 forms a proximal open end 47 anda radial aperture 48 both of which are open to the central passage 46.As described below, the open end 47 facilitates placement of the innertubular member 30 within the central passage 46, whereas the aperture 48establishes fluid connection between the central passage 46 and acorresponding component of the first hub assembly 28. Alternatively, theproximal segment 40 can assume a variety of other forms.

In an alternative configuration, the outer tubular member 26 can defineone or more bends in a region between the proximal segment 40 and thedistal segment 44. For example, a bend region is disclosed in U.S.Patent Application Publication No. 2007/0149975 A1, the contents ofwhich are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety. In thisembodiment, inner tubular member 30 conforms to the bend of outertubular member 26.

The distal segment 44 terminates at a distal end 52 that is closed tothe central passage 46 in one embodiment. Further, the distal segment 44forms a cutting window 54 proximal the closed distal end 52. Asdescribed in greater detail below, the closed distal end 52 serves todistally shield a cutting surface of the inner tubular member 30,whereas the cutting window 54 exposes the surface. Thus, in oneembodiment, an exterior surface of the closed distal end 52 is curved.The decorticating implement 38 defines a scraping surface provided on anexterior surface of the distal segment 44 and assists a surgeon inpreparing end plates for fostering bone growth and adhesion of fusionmaterial.

With reference to FIGS. 3A and 3B, the cutting window 54 is open orfluidly connected to the central passage 46, and is defined by aperimeter edge 56. Relative to a longitudinal extension of the outertubular member 26, the perimeter edge 56 generally defines opposingfirst and second longitudinal sides 58, 60, and opposing lateral ends62, 64. With these spatial designations in mind, in one embodiment, theperimeter edge 56 forms a plurality of teeth 66 along each of thelongitudinal sides 58, 60. The teeth 66 can assume a variety of forms,but in one embodiment are symmetrically arranged relative to the side58, 60. In one embodiment, each of the sides 58, 60 includes or forms atleast four teeth 66 to promote aggressive removal of intervertebral discmaterial. The teeth 66 are formed to be highly sharpened (e.g., tipwidth or thickness on the order of approximately 0.005 inch), and wrapor curve in conformance with a curvature of the remainder of the outertubular member 26. In one embodiment, a tip-to-tip spacing betweenadjacent ones of the teeth 66 (along a corresponding side 58 or 60) isin the range of 0.04-0.06 inch, more preferably approximately 0.05 inch(±0.002 inch). Further, in one embodiment, the lateral ends 62, 64 aresimilarly sharp. While other dimensions and/or configurations can beemployed, it has surprisingly been found that the above-describedpreferences are highly conducive to cutting the disparate materialstructures associated with an intervertebral disc.

Implement 38 extends from an outer surface of distal segment 44,defining an annular scraping surface 67 formed by a distal surface 68and a proximal surface 69 of scraping implement 38. Distal surface 68extends generally perpendicular from a circumference of outer tubularmember 26, whereas proximal surface 69 is angled toward distal end 52.Implement 38, and thus distal surface 68 and/or proximal surface 69, canextend from the outer surface of distal segment 44 at various angles andat various positions with respect to distal segment 44. For example,implement 38 (including distal surface 68 and/or proximal surface 69)may extend at an oblique angle with respect to the outer surface ofdistal segment 44. Moreover, the implement 38 can extend directly fromdistal end 52, either at an oblique angle with respect thereto orparallel to a direction of extension of the distal segment 44. In anyevent, distal surface 68 and proximal surface 69 converge to formscraping surface 67, which is useful in removal of intervertebral discmaterial from end plates, as discussed below.

As illustrated in FIG. 3B, the distal segment 44 forms a central axis B,which may be coaxial with axis A or offset therefrom if the outertubular member includes one or more bends. The central axis B can definea first side B1 and a second side B2 opposite the first side B1. Thecutting window 54 and the perimeter edge 56, in the embodimentillustrated, is located substantially on the first side B1 of thecentral axis B. Furthermore, the decorticating implement 38 extendsabout the central axis B around an outer circumference of the distalsegment 44 such that the decorticating implement 38 is positioned on anentirety of the second side B2 and, in the illustrated embodiment, aportion of the first side B1.

Returning to FIG. 2, the outer tubular member 26 is preferably formed ofa hardened, surgically safe material, capable of supporting the innertubular member 30 at high rotational/oscillation speeds (e.g.,oscillation speed of 5,000 RPM). Thus, for example, the outer tubularmember 26 is formed of 304 stainless steel; although a multitude ofother materials are equally acceptable. Regardless, the central passage46 is sized to coaxially receive the inner tubular member 30 in a mannerallowing the inner tubular member 30 to rotate within the passage 46. Inone embodiment, and as described below, a diameter of the centralpassage 46 is slightly greater than an outer diameter of the innertubular member 30 to establish an irrigation pathway.

The first hub assembly 28 is adapted to receive and retain the proximalsegment 40 of the outer tubular member 26, and in one embodimentincludes an irrigation collar 68, an outer hub 70, and an inner hub 72.The irrigation collar 68 forms an irrigation port 74, and is configuredto establish an irrigation fluid flow path to and from the centralpassage 46 of the outer tubular member 26 upon final assembly, asdescribed below. The outer hub 70 and the inner hub 72 are adapted tosecure the irrigation collar 68 to the outer tubular member 26, and thuscan assume a variety of forms. In one embodiment, however, the outer hub70 is sized for securement over the irrigation collar 68 as well as tothe outer tubular member 26. Conversely, the inner hub 72 is sized forsecurement between the irrigation collar 68 and the outer tubular member26, and in one embodiment forms a longitudinal passageway 76 and aradial opening 77. The longitudinal passageway 76 extends through anentirety of the inner hub 72, whereas the radial opening 77 is sized andpositioned for fluid connection to the port 74 (and the radial aperture48 of the outer tubular member 26) upon final assembly. To furtherpromote a complete, sealed final relationship, the first hub assembly 28further includes seals (e.g., O-rings) 78 and a seal hub 79 in oneembodiment. Regardless, the first hub assembly 28 establishes amechanism for delivering irrigation liquid from an irrigation source(not shown) to the shaving head 34 via the irrigation port 74 and thepassage 46. The irrigation fluid serves to “clean” the surgical site,augment lubrication between the inner and outer tubular members 30, 26,and facilitate evacuation/aspiration of material from the surgical site(described below) by clearing “clogs” at the shaving head 34.Alternatively, the first hub assembly 28 can assume a variety of otherforms.

The inner tubular member 30 is, similar to the outer tubular member 26,an elongated tube defining a proximal region 80 and a distal region 84.Further, the inner tubular member 30 defines a central lumen 86extending from the proximal region 80 to the distal region 84. Onceagain, the inner tubular member 30 is sized to be coaxially receivedwithin the outer tubular member 26, with the proximal region 80 adaptedfor mounting to the second hub 32. The inner tubular member 30 has anoverall construction capable of maintaining structural integrity whenrotated at high speeds (e.g., oscillation speeds on the order of 5,000RPM).

The distal region 84 forms a cutting tip 90. With additional referenceto FIG. 3C, the cutting tip 90 includes a plurality of teeth 92 formedin a circumferentially-extending manner about a mouth 94. The teeth 92are highly similar to the teeth 66 (FIGS. 3A and 3B) previouslydescribed, symmetrically arranged along opposite sides of the mouth 94(it being understood that only one set of the teeth 92 are visible inFIG. 3C). Thus, in one embodiment, at least four of the teeth 92 areformed along each side of the mouth 94, and are highly sharpened.Further, in one embodiment, the teeth 92 are sized and positioned to bespatially aligned with the teeth 66 upon final assembly. Thus, in oneembodiment, adjacent ones of the teeth 92 have a tip-to-tip spacing onthe order of 0.04-0.06 inch, more preferably approximately 0.05 inch(±0.002 inch).

The mouth 94 is open to, and thus fluidly connected with, the lumen 86.As described in greater detail below, this configuration establishes anaspiration pathway from the mouth 94 and through the lumen 86. In thisregard, material aspirated via the lumen 86/mouth 94 can be removed viaan appropriate port associated with the second assembly hub 32. In oneembodiment, the distal region 84 has a relatively large outer diameter,on the order of 3-8 mm, more preferably 4.5 mm, to reduce clogging ofthe lumen 86 during use. Alternatively, other dimensions can beemployed.

Regardless of the exact configuration, at least as a majority of aninner diameter of the outer tubular member 26 is, in one embodiment,slightly larger than an outer diameter of the inner tubular member 30 soas to establish an annular gap 100 between the two components 26, 30upon final assembly as shown in FIG. 3D. It will be understood thatwhile FIG. 3D illustrates the inner tubular member 30 as beingapproximately centered relative to the outer tubular member 26, inactual practice, the inner tubular member 30 may contact the outertubular member 26 at various radial locations. Along these lines, in oneembodiment, the cutting tip 90 (FIG. 3C) of the inner tubular member 30may have a diameter larger than a remainder thereof (such as byseparately forming the cutting tip 90 and assembling to a remainder ofthe inner tubular member 30) that more closely matches an inner diameterof the outer tubular member 26. Regardless, a size of the gap 100 isexaggerated in the view of FIG. 3D for purposes of explanation. Withadditional reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, the annular gap 100 extends fromthe irrigation port 74 to the cutting window 54 to establish an interiorirrigation pathway or mechanism by which an irrigation fluid can bedelivered from the irrigation port 74 to the cutting window 54 (and thusthe shaving head 34) via the annular gap 100. Alternatively, a separateirrigation tube (not shown) can be provided along (or formed with) anexterior of the outer tubular member 26.

With specific reference to FIG. 2, the second hub assembly 32 is sizedfor mounting to the inner tubular member 30 and includes, in oneembodiment, a rotating hub 102 and a spring 104. The rotating hub 102 isadapted for coupling to a powered handpiece (not shown) as known in theart. The spring 104 facilitates releasable engagement with the poweredhandpiece, and in alternative embodiments, can be eliminated. To thisend, the powered handpiece can assume a variety of forms, and can beelectrically, or battery, or pneumatically powered.

Assembly of the instrument 20 includes securing the first hub assembly28 to the outer tubular member 26. In one embodiment, the inner hub 72is mounted over the proximal segment 40 such that the radial opening 77is aligned, or otherwise fluidly connected to, the radial aperture 48.To ensure affixment of the inner hub 72 to the outer tubular member 26,an adhesive (e.g., Loctite adhesive) can be employed. The irrigationcollar 68 is mounted over the inner hub 72 such that the port 74 isaligned with, or otherwise fluidly connected to, the radial opening 77(and thus the radial aperture 48). The seals 78 are included at oppositesides of the port 74/radial opening 77 interface to provide afluid-sealed relationship. The outer hub 70 is assembled or formed overthe outer tubular member 26 and the irrigation collar 68. Where desired,an adhesive (e.g., Loctite adhesive) can be employed to bond the outerhub 70 to the irrigation collar 68.

The second hub assembly 32 is mounted to the proximal region 80 of theinner tubular member 30. An adhesive can be employed to bond therotating hub 102 to the inner tubular member 30. The inner tubularmember 30 is distally slid or inserted into and through the inner hub 72and the outer tubular member 26 such that the cutting tip 90 is at orwithin the cutting window 54. To this end, the seal hub 79 sealinglyengages an exterior of the inner tubular member 30 such that irrigationfluid within the outer tubular member 26 (e.g., within the gap 100 (FIG.3D)) will not flow or leak proximal the seal hub 79.

The shaving head 34 upon final assembly is shown in greater detail inFIG. 4. In particular, the cutting tip 90 is exposed at the cuttingwindow 54. During use, as the inner tubular member 30 is rotatablyoscillated relative to the outer tubular member 26, a shearing action iscreated between the teeth 92 of the cutting tip 90 and the teeth 66 ofthe cutting window 54. By providing a large number of sharp teeth, thisshearing motion is able to aggressively remove material, yet provides auser with the ability to perform a controlled shaving or shearingoperation, thus ensuring that only desired bodily material is contactedand cut. To this end, the closed distal end 52 of the outer tubularmember 26 provides a blunt surface for non-traumatically contactinganatomical structures, thus providing instrument safety during “blind”cutting procedures. After removal of disc material, the scrapingimplement 38 is used in preparation of end plates by a surgeon. Inparticular, the implement 38 is brought into contact with an end plateand used to scrape material from the end plate by moving instrument 20manually with respect to the end plate. In one particular embodiment,implement 38 can be scraped to cause bleeding of the end plate, whichcan provide an adequate surface for adhesion of material depositedthereon.

One method of removing material from an intervertebral disc 110 usingthe intervertebral disc material shaving instrument 20 in accordancewith principles disclosed herein is illustrated in FIGS. 5-8. By way ofreference, the intervertebral disc 110 generally includes a nucleus 112surrounded by an annulus 114 and opposing ends plates 116, 118 (FIGS. 7and 8). The end plates 116, 118 in turn, are formed as part of adjacentvertebrae 120, 122 (FIGS. 7 and 8), respectively, and thus are akin tocartilaginous bone. With these general definitions in mind, theinstrument 20 is employed to surgically remove or shave some or all ofthe material (e.g., tissue, cartilaginous bone, etc.) associated withthe intervertebral disc 110. For example, one common procedureassociated with treatment of a diseased intervertebral disc 110 is anucleotomy in which a portion, or all, of the nucleus 112 is removed.With this in mind, the instrument 20 is deployed to the disc 110, forexample via an posterior-lateral approach. Alternative approaches to thedisc 110 are also acceptable and within the principles of the presentdisclosure, such as posterior approach, transforaminal approach,anterior approach, left or right lateral approach, etc. Regardless, asshown in FIG. 5, the shaving head 34 is positioned at an exterior of theannulus 114, aligned with an opening 124 formed therein. The opening 124can be a naturally-occurring tear or similar passage; alternatively, theopening 124 can be surgically cut or otherwise created in the annulus114. The closed distal end 52 contacts the annulus 114 in anon-traumatic manner, and protects the annulus 114 from potentiallydamaging, undesired contact with the teeth 66 (FIG. 3A) and 92 (FIG.3C).

The shaving head 34 is then distally advanced within the annulus 114 andoperated to remove some or all of the nucleus 112 region as shown inFIG. 6.

In particular, the instrument 20 is powered to effectuate removal ofcontacted material. More particularly, and with additional reference toFIG. 7, the powered handpiece (not shown) is activated, causing thecutting tip 90 (FIG. 3C) to rotationally oscillate relative to thecutting window 54. For example, the cutting tip 90 can be rotationallyoscillated at speeds at or in excess of 5,000 RPM. In one embodiment,the powered handpiece is operated to rotate the inner tubular member 26(FIG. 2) two revolutions in one direction, followed by two revolutionsin the opposite direction, etc., although other operational formats arealso acceptable. Nucleus tissue 112, otherwise in contact with thecutting tip 90/cutting window 54, is sheared between the two components,and aspirated from the surgical site via the mouth 94/lumen 86 (FIG. 2).Further, irrigation fluid is directly applied to the surgical site viathe irrigation mechanism previously described so as to minimize cloggingof the tissue shaving head 34, and in particular the mouth 94/lumen 86.The irrigation fluid can also serve to lubricate the surgical site aswell as the inner tubular member 30/outer tubular member 26 interface.

After removal of nucleus tissue 112, other material of theintervertebral disc 110 can also be aggressively scraped and removedwith the instrument 20. For example, the end plates 116, 118 can also bescraped as desired using scraping implement 38 without removinginstrument 20 from disc 110. As illustrated in FIG. 8, scrapingimplement 38 can be positioned to scrape end plate 118. Instrument 20,and thus implement 38, can be scraped along end plate 118 in order toprepare the end plate 118 for bone growth and/or adhesion of fusionmaterial. In particular, by scraping implement 38 across end plate 118,a top surface of the end plate 118 can be removed, encouraging blood toenter the end plate 118. During an autograft procedure, this bloodpromotes fusion between the end plate 118 and autograft materialintroduced in the disc 110. Tissue removed from end plate 118 due toscraping by implement 38 can be aspirated via the mouth 94/lumen 86 byfurther operation of the instrument 20. End plate 116 can be prepared ina similar manner.

Alternative decorticating implements to implement 38 can also be used.FIG. 9 illustrates an alternative distal end 200 having a manualscraping implement 202 including annular scraping surfaces 204, 206 and208. The annular surfaces 204, 206 and 208 extend from an outercircumference of outer tubular member 26, and are similar in structureto annular surface 67 discussed above. Moreover, implement 202 is spacedapart from distal end 52 of outer tubular member 26. Each of the annularscraping surfaces 204, 206 and 208 are spaced apart from distal end 52and arranged in parallel fashion to one another. In an alternativeembodiment, implement 202 can include two annular scraping surfaces,wherein one of the surfaces 204, 206 and 208 is eliminated. In yet afurther embodiment, the annular scraping surfaces 204, 206 and 208 arenot parallel to one another, wherein one or more of the annular scrapingsurfaces are oblique to the outer surface. In one example, one of theannular scraping surfaces can form an acute angle with the outer tubularmember, whereas another annular scraping surface forms an obtuse anglefrom a similar reference.

FIG. 10 illustrates an alternative distal end 220 that includes scrapingimplement 224 positioned on an outer circumference of outer tubularmember 26 on an opposite side of cutting window 54. Implement 224includes a coating that forms a scraping surface to be used inpreparation of end plates of an intervertebral disc. In one embodiment,the coating forms irregular protrusions extending from a circumferenceof the outer tubular member 26. The coating of implement 224, in oneexample, can be formed of a hard biocompatible material such as diamond,nickel coated tungsten and/or combinations thereof.

In alternative embodiments, as illustrated in FIGS. 11-13, a manualscraping surface can extend distal a cutting window of the outer tubularmember 26. FIG. 11 illustrates an alternative distal end 230 wherein ascraping surface 232 extends distal cutting window 54. The implement 232defines an annular scraping surface 234 and an interior cup-like orring-like feature 236 recessed from a top surface of the implement 232.During operation, a surgeon can rotate outer tubular member 26 such thatscraping surface 234 can contact an endplate and remove materialtherefrom to prepare the endplate for bone growth and/or adhesion offusion material.

FIG. 12 illustrates an alternative distal end 250 in which a manualdecorticating implement 252 extends distal a cutting window 54 of outertubular member 26. In particular, implement 252 includes an annularcutting surface 254 extending distal the cutting window 54.

FIG. 13 illustrates an alternative distal end 260 in which a manualdecorticating implement 262 extends distal a cutting window 54 of outertubular member 26. In particular, implement 262 includes an annularcutting surface 264 extending distal the cutting window 54.

FIG. 14 illustrates an alternative distal end 270 in which a manualdecorticating implement 272 extends in a longitudinal direction todefine a scraping surface. With distal end 270, a bur 274 is utilized toaid in removing intervertebral disc material.

Although the present invention has been described with reference topreferred embodiments, workers skilled in the art will recognize thatchanges can be made in form and detail without departing from the spiritand scope of the present invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A surgical intervertebral disc material shavinginstrument for use with a powered handpiece, the instrument comprising:an elongated outer tubular member defining a central passage about acentral axis and a cutting window at a distal end thereof, the cuttingwindow being fluidly connected to the central passage and defined by aperimeter edge forming at least four teeth on a first longitudinal sideand at least four teeth on a second longitudinal side thereof, theperimeter edge being formed on a first side of the central axis; aninner tubular member coaxially disposed within the central passage, theinner tubular member defining a central lumen and a cutting tip at adistal end thereof, the cutting tip including a plurality ofcircumferentially-extending teeth formed about at least a portion of amouth fluidly connected to the central lumen; a manual decorticatingimplement including a scraping surface positioned on a second side ofthe central axis of the elongated outer tubular member opposite thefirst side, the scraping surface extending around an elongated outercircumference of the outer tubular member from a first side of theperimeter edge of the cutting window to an opposite side of theperimeter edge of the cutting window; and wherein upon final assembly,the manual decorticating implement is configured to remove material froman end plate, the cutting tip is exposed within the cutting window, thecutting tip and cutting window combining to define a shaving headconfigured to shear intervertebral disc material and aspirate shearedmaterial through the mouth and lumen.
 2. The instrument of claim 1,wherein the manual decorticating implement includes a distal surface anda proximal surface extending from the outer circumference of theelongated outer tubular member, the distal surface and proximal surfacedefining the scraping surface.
 3. The instrument of claim 2, wherein themanual decorticating implement is spaced apart from the distal end ofthe elongated outer tubular member.
 4. The instrument of claim 2,wherein the distal surface is perpendicular to the central axis of theelongated outer tubular member.
 5. The instrument of claim 4, whereinthe proximal surface is oriented at an oblique angle with respect to thedistal surface.
 6. The instrument of claim 5, wherein the scrapingsurface is annular.
 7. The instrument of claim 1, wherein the manualdecorticating implement includes a plurality of annular scrapingsurfaces extending from the outer circumference of the elongated outertubular member, the plurality of annular scraping surfaces spaced apartfrom one another along a length of the elongated outer tubular member.8. The instrument of claim 7, wherein the plurality of annular scrapingsurfaces includes three scraping surfaces.
 9. The instrument of claim 1,wherein the scraping surface comprises a coating applied to an elongatedouter surface of the outer tubular member opposite the cutting window.10. The instrument of claim 9, wherein the coating comprises diamond.